Cloud condensation nuclei

From Glossary of Meteorology



cloud condensation nuclei

(Abbreviated CCN.) Hygroscopic aerosol particles that can serve as nuclei of atmospheric cloud droplets, that is, particles on which water condenses (activates) at supersaturations typical of atmospheric cloud formation (fraction of one to a few percent, depending on cloud type).

Concentrations of CCN need to be given in terms of a supersaturation spectrum covering the range of interest or at a specified supersaturation value.
Compare condensation nucleus.


Retrieved from "https://glossarystaging.ametsoc.net/w/index.php?title=Cloud_condensation_nuclei&oldid=15330"
Powered by MediaWiki
Powered by WikiTeq
Powered by Semantic MediaWiki
Copyright 2024 American Meteorological Society (AMS). For permission to reuse any portion of this work, please contact permissions@ametsoc.org. Any use of material in this work that is determined to be “fair use” under Section 107 of the U.S. Copyright Act (17 U.S. Code § 107) or that satisfies the conditions specified in Section 108 of the U.S.Copyright Act (17 USC § 108) does not require AMS’s permission. Republication, systematic reproduction, posting in electronic form, such as on a website or in a searchable database, or other uses of this material, except as exempted by the above statement, require written permission or a license from AMS. Additional details are provided in the AMS Copyright Policy statement.